BloodandCustard
2015 Report on Accessibility
at Model Railway Exhibitions
Having had accessibility problems
(including having to use a wheelchair during 2015 through complications from my
disabilities) I thought these findings may be of interest to others with mobility
impairment!
Please note in report my findings and opinions I can only
comment on exhibitions that I visited in 2015 (or could not /would not visit
due to prior known issues) plus and relevant updates. My comments may at times
appear harsh but reflect the realities of (often unaided) manual wheelchair
use. Certainly many exhibitions do not understand their duties under the
Equality Act 2010 let alone the need to make reasonable adjustments including
the simple expedient of providing sufficient seating in their exhibition
hall(s). The attitude to exhibition staff also made a significant difference at
several exhibitions in overcoming difficulties.
On each and every occasion issues were raised at the time and
exhibition staff advised a report would be made on BloodandCustard
lest they wanted to respond prior to publication. None chose to do so
suggesting fulfilling the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 was not seen as
a priority.
Southampton
MRC
Barton
Peveril College, Eastleigh
24th January 2015
The exhibition was at a school although the organisers claimed the
advertised on-site parking was not under their control. As a consequence there
was no effort made for those with accessibility problems; in my opinion a
‘massive fail’. I tried to raise this with the exhibition staff who were
basically indifferent to the issue; not a good start.
The exhibition was on two levels and in terms of the gangways
access was not generous. In terms of facilities the public lunching area was
cramped and almost impossible for wheelchair users. The accessible toilet was
gaining rather a lot of use by apparently able-bodied people who could have used
the non-accessible facilities; the accessible WC could have been cleaner.
The only real seating I could find (beyond the eating area) was
outside in the cold or in a darkened exhibition hall. Not very impressive.
Summation - I cannot recommend this show which is best
avoided.
Tonbridge
MRC
Angel Centre, Tonbridge
21st February 2015
The exhibition has no dedicated parking and I was driven there
by a friend. Access within the exhibition was fine although one section
required use of a lift (in a previous year this had been out of order). Another
area was inaccessible being on a stage; not really acceptable these days.
Staff were generally helpful although sometimes terse in asking
to see your ticket when trying to access the different areas; it is not
difficult to be polite or even say ‘please’. The gangway widths aren’t generous
and in places it can be a struggle to get through if there is any more than a
single depth of people looking at a layout.
In terms of facilities the 1st floor public lunching
area was cramped and difficult for wheelchair access; there being no seating on
the ground floor (except it seems for exhibition staff and exhibitors) unless
you sit on the benches outside – an epic ‘fail’ these days and certainly not
disability-friendly. In 2016 the lift upstairs was not working although a
service lift was made available there was little assistance to find you way in
/out this area on the 1st floor.
In 2015 the accessible toilet was gaining rather a lot of use by
apparently able-bodied people who could have used the adjacent non-accessible
facilities; the accessible WC could have been a lot cleaner. However, this was
better in 2016 – probably because the door to the accessible was not
functioning properly. A request to use led to exhibition staff having to find
Angel Centre staff who in turn had to work out how to fix the electric sliding
door....
Summation – Poor and
inadequate although I did attend again in
2016 having been driven there due to parking issues outside of the Tonbridge
MRC’s control.
Ashford MRC
Homewood
School, Tenterden
28th February 2015
The exhibition has dedicated parking with most level parking on
a school playground (now gone). However, if you have trouble getting in /out
your vehicle door without marked bays there is a risk of another vehicle
parking too close. Other parking areas involve rough ground and
Access within the exhibition was fine although the dining tables
weren’t too accessible-friendly.
Staff were very helpful. However, the accessible WC was gaining
rather a lot of use by apparently able-bodied people who could have used the
non-accessible facilities; the accessible WC was not particularly clean (this
had improved in 2016)
Summation - I will be
attending again but driven there due to parking issues
2020 update – still
indifferent to Blue-Badge parking needs even though a club official (and
Ashford town councillor) claimed to ‘know all about what they need to do [under
the Equality Act 2010]’. If he really did know then why wasn’t the club
doing it?
Summation - I probably
won’t be attending again
Festival of
Model Railways
Alexandra Palace, London
28th March 2015
Access around the exhibition was fine with generous gangways.
However seating was woefully inadequate with one marshal acknowledging they
were not fulfilling the requirements of the Equality Act.
In terms of facilities the public lunching areas were totally
inadequate and overcrowded throughout the day with many standing to eat. Simply
an unacceptable shambles given the numbers attending.
The none-too clean accessible toilet was gaining rather a lot of
use by apparently able-bodied people queuing who could have used the
non-accessible facilities on another floor.
Complaints were made to both the organisers (Warners
– who are supposed a professional company) and the Model Railway Club (who back
this exhibition but do not appear to accept any responsibility for its
failings) with pitifully inadequate interest and responses from both; neither
sought to enter into a meaningful dialogue with a mobility impaired person as
to how the exhibition could be improved.
Summation – DEFINATELY
AVOID!
In my opinion not only can I not recommend attendance but would
suggest this is an exhibition to definitely avoid. From my attempts at contact I believe
the professional organisers /Model Railway Club do not appear to have any
meaningful interest in mobility impaired attendees or accommodating their needs.
Feedback from friends who attended in 2016 stated there was no improvement over
2015. In my opinion neither the show organisers Warners
or the Model Railway Club are simply incapable of making adequate provision for
visitors with disabilities.
Crawley MRC
Tandridge House School, Horsham
11th April 2015
I have included this exhibition as one to be avoided, having
previously had an unpleasant greeting in 2014 where an aggressive and arrogant
club member undertaking car park duty took it upon themselves to argue about
our parking in an appropriate non-restricted bay whilst my car was still in
motion (with inherent risk of driver distraction). This was in an otherwise
near-empty parking area! Having had to remind him about reasonable adjustments
under the Equality Act we choose to avoid the exhibition in future years.
The exhibition is on two levels and in terms of the gangways
access and in terms of facilities the public lunching area would be difficult
as the circular children’s-height tables have fixed seating.
Summation - In my opinion (and given
the unfriendly welcome in 2014) I cannot recommend attendance and would suggest
this exhibition is best
avoided.
East Grinstead MRC
Sackville School, East
Grinstead
14th March 2015
The exhibition has both remote parking and limited marshalled
parking for those ‘in need’ close to the entrance. There isn’t direct step-free access from the
pay-desk but the staff were friendly and helpful.
Once inside all the layouts are on one level and the gangway
widths acceptable. In terms of facilities the public lunching area was limited
if you can’t use the ‘bar-stool’ seating. The accessible toilet wasn’t used so
I cannot comment thereon.
Summation - I may attend
again but only with assistance.
2020 update – show now
avoided following 2019 intransigence towards those with disabilities.
Railex
Stoke
Mandeville Stadium, Aylesbury
23rd May 2015
The exhibition has dedicated parking with blue-badge bays
outside the entrance. However, if (like myself) you are disabled but not a
blue-badge holder parking could be a problem.
Access within the exhibition was fine and the dining tables
accessible-friendly although very busy.
Staff there are very helpful. There were several accessible WCs
which were kept clean by centre staff. Indeed once inside the building this is
one of the most accessible-friendly exhibitions I’ve attended.
Summation - I will be
attending again but driven there due to parking
issues.
Chatham MRC
Medway
Leisure Park, Gillingham
13th June 2015
Parking can be limited with little space available for those ‘in
need’. Access into the exhibition halls is poor (long ramps both up and down) and
so not recommended for user-propelled wheelchairs. There is an unadvertised
side entrance but even this is best used with assistance. However, once inside
access around the exhibition was excellent with generous gangways and plenty of
seating.
In terms of facilities the public lunching areas were adequate
and seats available for most of the day. Although the food on offer was limited
it was far better than that proffered by the difficult-to-access Leisure Park’s
cafe (which is best avoided).
However, the accessible toilet was disgusting – it was dirty and
the floor covered in water and piss – not good in a wheelchair. This was the worst
I have ever encountered at any venue let alone model railways. It was also gaining
rather a lot of use by apparently able-bodied people queuing who could have
used the adjacent non-accessible facilities. Repeated complaints were made to
the helpful Exhibition organisers (who in turn repeatedly contacted centre
staff) but it took nearly four hours to get the accessible WC cleaned – an
utter disgrace by the centre’s management (a subsequent complaint was made to
Medway Leisure Park).
Summation - Exhibition staff were commendably
helpful although the side access really needs
to be advertised (I found it thanks to a helpful passing member of centre
staff). Hopefully if I attend next year (with assistance) there will be no
repeat of the filthy accessible WC; certainly there would be no excuse.
Pevensey Bay
MRC
Pevensey Memorial Hall, Pevensey
25th July 2015
Parking for the exhibition is restricted with the small car park
and the hall’s mobility access ramp very poor. Annoyingly having been told by a
marshal my car was fine where it was parked (in line with the other cars) and
having been given assistance to get up the ramp as well as over the step into
the hall I was then asked if my car could be moved a couple of feet just in
case it was in the way later on (it never actually was). Would have I been
asked if I wasn’t identifiable from my wheelchair – probably not and this
rather sullied the visit!
Other club members were friendlier although access within the
exhibition was in many places very tight and cramped for wheelchairs as another
wheelchair user observed. However, the small eating area could be accessed and
the club’s counter staff there very helpful.
Summation – As consequence of the unfriendly
hassle following arrival I cannot
recomment this exhibition.
Chelmsford
MRC
St. John Payne School, Chelmsford
24th October 2015
The exhibition’s parking was inadequate for mobility impaired
visitors although were fortunate in getting a space. Access within the
exhibition was tight and cramped with one area being on an inaccessible stage
(rather a no-no these days).
Initially nobody could find the accessible WC (it is upstairs
with lift access) but the very friendly and assistive exhibition staff rapidly
assisted by summoning the school janitor. The accessible WC was clean and
always available for use (probably as a consequence of its tucked-away
location).
To their credit the Exhibition staff were extremely helpful to
the point of being the friendliest I’ve ever encountered.
Although in terms of facilities the public lunching area was
cramped and not easy for wheelchair users this was made up by the assistive
staff. It is worth noting the range of sandwiches on offer was particularly
impressive.
Summation - Given the wonderful friendly
exhibition staff I would gladly
attend again although would be driven.
Worthing MRC
Worthing
26th September 2015
The exhibition’s parking was adequate for mobility impaired
visitors although were fortunate in getting a space as there was nobody on duty
and all bays appeared to be first come – first served. Access within the
exhibition was reasonable except the exhibition was on three levels; the ramp between
two being too steep for a user-propelled wheelchair whilst another area was in
an inaccessible pit (rather a no-no these days). Assistance was given to enter
this pit by a convoluted overgrown external route that would not conform to
accessibility regulations
The accessible WC was spacious and clean although gained rather
a lot of use by apparently able-bodied people who could have used the
non-accessible facilities.
To their credit exhibition staff were helpful although public lunching
area wasn’t easy for wheelchair users. However, this was made up by the
assistive staff
Summation - Given the friendliness of
exhibition staff I would attend
again.
2020 update – show now
avoided following 2019 intransigence towards the needs of disable including a
lack of Blue-Badge parking provision.
Uckfield MRC
Uckfield
Civic Centre, Uckfield
17th October 2015
Parking for the exhibition is in an adjacent municipal car park
which is woefully inadequate for manually-propelled wheelchairs; access to the
venue is equally difficult.
Access within the exhibition was tight and cramped with one area
being along narrow corridors accessed by narrow single doors.
The club used large wooden boxes ‘coffins’ for children to stand
on to view the layouts; these made viewing and wheelchair access really
difficult as you were left a considerable distance from the layout (often
blocking the gangways) whilst having parents shove their children in front of
you completely ignoring blocking what limited view you had of the layout; a significant fail. In this
respect I do not believe the club was fulfilling its obligations under the
Equality Act and this is a much flawed arrangement.
The exhibition’s staff were helpful although the in terms of
facilities the public lunching area (not under Exhibition control) was cramped
and difficult for wheelchair users. In a wheelchair there is little alternative
due to the venue being on the side of a hill. A few too many layouts were above
wheelchair viewing height.
The accessible WC was tight and not as clean as one would
expect. It also gained some use by apparently able-bodied people who could have
used the adjacent non-accessible facilities.
Summation – VERY POOR
because of huge ‘coffin boxes’ blocking the way
I would probably attend again in a manual wheelchair but certainly not
unaccompanied given the hillside location.
Folkestone,
Hythe & District MRC
Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone
3rd October 2015
I have included this exhibition as one I cannot recommend
(from a previous visit) as the venue, whilst historically interesting really
does not lend itself to a model railway exhibition; particularly as parts of
that exhibition do not have step-free access. Whilst there are two very small
lifts (these are not adjacent and do not serve all floors - which were numbered
differently in each lift) access is tight, indirect and difficult between these
lifts. Whilst it might be useable as a theatre I believe it is unsuitable for a
model railway exhibition.
For the able-bodied entry queuing was being permitted down a
flight of stairs; clearly dangerously and this really should have been prevented
at the top of the stairs by exhibition marshals. Indeed I was surprised the both
the club and hall management permitted this as they leave themselves open to
potential accident-liability as in my opinion this constitutes a breach of
sections 2, 3 & 7 of HSW (etc ) Act 1974 and probably breaches of section 3
Management of HSW Regs 1999. Their insurers may not wish cover such a risk
either.
Even worse was several of us who were clearly mobility-impaired (and
unable to use the stairs) were told we still had to go down the stairs to buy
our entry tickets even though we could not physically do this – a nonsense!
In the end a member of public went and bought our tickets as the
Exhibition staff simply declined to assist us. I believe this formed a
straightforward breach of the Equality Act (failure
to make reasonable adjustments).
I believe the model railway exhibition at this venue is simply
unable to fulfil the requirements of the Equality Act.
Summation - In my opinion I cannot recommend this exhibition which
is best avoided.
Newhaven MRC
Seaford Baptist Church, Seaford
31st October 2015
Parking for the exhibition as almost non-existent with the small
car park and adjacent street (on a slight hill) full of exhibition staff /exhibitors vehicles.
Access within the exhibition was in some places tight and
cramped with two rooms being completely inaccessible to wheelchairs; this being
a non-no under the Equality Act. I only found this out after I’d been asked
about accessibility by a club member; when I tried to speak with him again I
was completely ignored to the point of members of the public heckling him over
his ignoring me (he ignored these
hecklers too even though they then said he was being rude).
This was a pity as other members of exhibition staff were very
friendly and assistive. The accessible WC was clean. However, a few too many
layouts were above wheelchair viewing height.
There was another well-travelled wheelchair user at the exhibition
who found these problems in his (powered) wheelchair. Perhaps the greatest concern
was the continual need to move their entrance pay-desk which blocked the
corridor – I suspect rather a significant breach of fire regulations.
Summation - In summation I cannot recommend this exhibition, mainly on the basis of the member rudeness but also the
venue and exhibition not being able to fulfil the requirements of the Equality
Act.
If any Exhibition managers
of these exhibitions have any questions then please contact me as I am keen for
accessibility of exhibitions to be improved. If you disagree with anything
stated then (or how
these deficiencies will be satisfactorily addressed in 2016) then please let me know exactly why /how.
However, for me to take note you must include exactly how you considered the
requirements of the Equality Act were or will be fulfilled.
ALL PHOTOGRAPHS
ARE COPYRIGHT